Page 30 of Memory of Murder
“We’ve read the statement you made to the investigating detective,” Jack pointed out. “What we’re in search of is anything that, looking back, may have been more important than you realized at the time.”
A very good point, in Anne’s opinion, since Hirsh’s statement told them basically nothing other than Neil was brilliant, dependable and charming.
“In particular,” Anne tossed in while Hirsch pondered Jack’s question, “any issues between Neil and Kevin Langston? Perhaps there was bad blood after the way things turned out with the BioTech offer.” The fact that Hirsh hadn’t mentioned Langston in connection to the so-called glitch was certainly no indication that he didn’t know. She would wager that he was well aware.
The hesitation dragged on a bit. Jack pulled out his phone and checked it as if to show his impatience. Anne, on the other hand, kept her attention fixed on the attorney. She wanted that answer. There had to be an issue between the two men. Everything pointed in that direction.
“It was my opinion,” Hirsh said finally, “that there was a rift between the two men afterward, yes.”
“Can you elaborate on that?” Jack tucked his phone away.
“Not really. Whatever issues arose from the quandary, I’m sure the two worked those out. But, of course, I have no way of knowing those private details. Frankly it takes little or no imagination to recognize it was an issue. Neil never spoke of it or of his friend which, in my opinion, was telling in itself.”
“That would suggest the two didn’t work out the issues at all,” Anne tossed in. “Neil was murdered soon after. If there was some underhanded step that caused Langston to steal the position Neil had already accepted, that’s the sort of story that makes life complicated for a politician.”
Anne understood before she made the statement that Hirsh would have no comment, but she wanted him to realize she wasn’t blind. What Langston did was motive whether he killed Neil or not. The bigger question was why the police didn’t investigate that avenue.
Hirsh’s expression closed instantly. “I’m afraid I am unaware of any such step. Senator Langston has a long-standing reputation of exceptional accomplishments in this city and in representing this state. I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you that such unfounded rumors can be constituted as libelous. Which is why I shall refrain from further comment.”
“This is exactly the sort of brick wall,” Jack remarked, “as I’m sure you’re aware, that prevents those searching from finding the truth.”
“Well.” Hirsh stood. “I hope I’ve been of some assistance to you. I do have another appointment waiting. Good luck with your endeavor.”
Anne and Jack had almost made it to the door when he hesitated and turned back to the attorney. “Just one other thing. Did your firm handle the nondisclosure agreement forthe senator when a former intern came forward accusing him of sexual assault?”
Anne stared at Jack for a moment, shock radiating through her. This was certainly news to her. She quickly banished the reaction and turned to Hirsh to hear the answer. Inside, she couldn’t stop wondering why Jack hadn’t mentioned a sexual-assault accusation in Langton’s history. She certainly hadn’t found anything even remotely negative related to the man in her searches. His history—according to the World Wide Web—was as clean as a whistle.
Hirsh’s face blanched. “As I’m sureyouare aware, I can’t discuss the work we do at this firm unless, of course, you are in need of one or more of those services.”
Jack smiled. “Never mind. I have the answer now.”
They exited the office. Anne barely kept her mouth shut until they were outside and in the car. “You didn’t mention anything about a sexual-assault accusation.”
“I just found out—that text I received a few minutes ago.”
“You have someone still digging?” The frustration drained away, and she had to admit she was impressed.
He shifted in his seat, faced her. “To be clear, our people will be working on finding whatever there is to find until this is done.”
“Okay.” Talk about the full treatment. She couldn’t ask for more than that. She also couldn’t stop looking into his eyes. He really did have nice eyes, but it was the certainty, the reassurance there that had her lingering.
He turned back to the steering wheel, reversed out of the slot and headed for Williams Street. They were having an early lunch at Judith’s. Jack wanted to rattle her cage again. Anne was fully on board with the plan.
As he drove in that direction, she chewed at her lip. “I’m thinking that if your discovery is illustrative of the sort of man Langston is or was, he could very well have forced an encounterwith Mary. That may be why she wanted the paternity test. It makes the most sense—don’t you think?”
Something definitely happened between the longtime friends. Maybe it was money, aka the BioTech position,andsex. Maybe one or the other, but it had happened. All they had to do was prove it.
“I think it’s a strong possibility.”
Or maybe Anne only wanted it to be Langston after the things she had learned he’d done. Stealing the job Neil had hoped for. Abusing an intern. On the other hand, in both instances, they were hearing just one side of the story. Maybe more so than ever, she recognized that there were two sides to every story.
She wished it hadn’t taken her so long to realize this. Perhaps she should have tried visiting her mother again. Maybe if she hadn’t stopped Mary would have eventually given in before it was too late. Anne would never know about that. All she could do was keep digging until someone told the truth.
What they needed was to talk to the senator. Anne considered herself pretty good at spotting untruths and insincerities. She’d certainly felt seriously bad vibes from Eve Langston. They also very much needed to get an interview with Carin Carter Wallace. She was closer to the Langstons than anyone else. Anne imagined the woman was privy to all their secrets.
Jack pulled out his cell phone and accepted a call.
While he spoke quietly with the caller, Anne pondered the well-prepared answers they had gotten from Hirsh. The man had wanted to appear cooperative with his little well-couched innuendos. She had a feeling the only thing he had done was give answers that would lead absolutely nowhere. And if his firm had represented Langston before…perhaps they still did. In which case, his agreement to meet with them was in all likelihood just an opportunity to get information for the senator.
